On this National Handloom day, we talk to Social entrepreneurs, NGOs and collectives who come together with innovative solutions for weavers, finding them markets online
Weavers used to sell most of their work at retail exhibitions. At these events, held across the country, they could network as well, finding new markets and buyers. Then, COVID-19 put an abrupt end to business.
In April 2020, barely a month after India’s first lockdown began, GoCoop — an online marketplace for artisans — launched virtual exhibitions to help weavers liquidate their stock. In the process, it showcased its largest collection of handmade textiles from India, with over 70,000 products including saris, accessories and home furnishing.
Close to 130 craft organisations have gone online through GoCoop since then. Explaining why they began to organise online training for artisans — trade, product cataloguing, packing and shipping — founder Siva Devireddy says, “Online sales are the best…